Wu Long Teas And Weight Loss

According to the American Obesity Association, obesity "is thesecond leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60million obese, and 9 million severely obese."These numbers are disturbing and continue to rise every year.There are more than 30 medical conditions associated with obesityincluding cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, gallbladderdisease, hypertension, liver disease, and stroke.Obesity is a world wide problem. The World Health Organization(WHO) concludes that more than 1.2 billion people around theworld are classified as overweight.Obesity is a complex disease involving environmental (social andcultural), genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral andpsychological components. It is the second leading cause ofpreventable death in the U.S.Carrying excess body weight can increase your risk of developingor worsening an existing medical condition like diabetes, heartdisease, certain cancers, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.Healthy weight, overweight and obese individuals can all benefitfrom using obesity prevention strategies.Strategies to Prevent Weight GainTo help prevent weight gain it is important to assess yourbehavior and environment and adopt healthy habitsThe amount and types of foods you eat, and your physical activityhabits are important factors in controlling weight. Theenvironment in which you live may also contribute to the adoptionof poor eating or exercise habits. This is especially true intoday's society, which is dominated by speed and convenience.For example, escalators, elevators and remote-control appliancesmake us less physically active and walking is less frequent thanin prior years. Also, greater availability of foods that arehigh in calories, fat and added sugars, and larger portion sizespromote unhealthy eating behaviors.In addition, reputable organizations, government agencies andindependent researchers agree on the importance of adoptinghealthy habits to prevent weight gain.Effective weight management involves behavior modification whichis a lifelong commitment and includes at least two components:Healthful eating in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines forAmericans, emphasizing a reduction in total calories, a loweredfat consumption, and an increase in vegetables, fruits and wholegrains, is an essential part of weight control.Increased frequent and regular physical activity of at leastmoderate intensity is also required.Health professionals also recommend a prescription for health andweight loss that includes: Moderate physical activity on most days of the week of atleast 30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day forchildren. Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, andreasonable portion sizes at home, in schools, at worksites, andin communities. Drinking at least eight glasses of pure water.In addition to exercise and a healthy diet, the use of Wu longtea (also spelled oolong tea or wu long tea) is growing inpopularity as a wholesome and flavorful way to limit weightgain.Will drinking Wu long tea really help lose weight?For many, Wu long tea is a helpful addition to a comprehensiveweight loss program. Wu long tea tastes good, contains healthbenefits that lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and a cupof Wu long tea in the morning can serve as a reminder of ahealthy life style.Wu Long tea has become a premium weight loss tea that many arediscovering for the first time. If you have never enjoyed thegreat taste and slimming health benefits it is known for, you aretruly missing an incredible opportunity. Originating in theFujian Province of China, Wu Long tea has gradually beenintroduced into Western culture. Of all the tea, Wu Longrepresents the Chinese culture best.Those who enjoy the flavor and rich aroma unique to slimming WuLong tea truly understand the art of drinking it - slowly anddelicately. Using a tiny teapot and small teacup, they areinheriting a rich tradition, started by the Chinese generationsago. The health benefits of Wu long tea are many: Rich in Theaflavin, Tea Polysaccharides and Tea Catechin,antioxidants that assist in the reduction of plaque in thearteries, in lowering cholesterol and in producing slimmingeffects. Helps regulate blood sugar levels for diabetics. Burns 2.5 times more calories than Green Tea, ideal for weightloss. Promotes clear, youthful looking skin.Scientific studies have established that tea is high inhealth-promoting polyphenols that protect us against cancer andother diseases. Wu long tea is particularly high in "polymerizedpolyphenols" which according to recent studies helps to increaseenergy expenditure.One recent study found that energy expenditure increased by 10%for a period of 2 hours after drinking wu long tea. This wassignificantly higher than the energy expenditure observed afterdrinking other types of tea.Another study found that wu long tea can suppress lipidmetabolism which has the effect of suppressing fatty accumulationand body weight increases. The study concludes that long-termconsumption of wu long tea is beneficial for the suppression ofdiet induced obesity.Health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and catechins arepresent in all types of tea, but hand picked wu long tea is thebest source because the pickers are selecting the best leavesfrom the tea plant. Machine harvesting is indiscriminate andshould be avoided - older leaves and twigs are harvested alongwith the newer leaves.Wu long tea is not a miracle cure for weight problems. Weightloss involves following a sensible, healthy diet, and a change inlifestyle to include an adequate amount of exercise. Wu long teahowever, can give you the extra boost to help in your weight lossplans, but it must be used as part of an overall strategy toimprove your living habits.Weight loss should be part of a healthy lifestyle. Don'tundertake crash weight loss programs and adopt a healthylifestyle including Wu long tea!-----------------------------------------------------Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea) green tea (http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea) and black tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com